Broadband bill clears House

Local lawmakers angle to secure money for the Cape as an 'underserved' area as funding receives unanimous approval.

Local lawmakers angle to secure money for the Cape as an 'underserved' area as funding receives unanimous approval.

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By DAVID KIBBE

capecodtimes.com

By DAVID KIBBE

Posted Jul. 1, 2008 at 2:00 AM

By DAVID KIBBE

Posted Jul. 1, 2008 at 2:00 AM

» Social News

BOSTON — An effort to bring widespread broadband access to all of the Cape and islands took another step forward yesterday, as the House added $15 million for underserved communities to a statewide broadband bond bill.

The bond bill, originally $25 million, has now grown to $40 million. Cape lawmakers said that would make it more likely that $5 million would be available for a campaign to bring wireless broadband access to all of Southeastern Massachusetts. That effort is being led by OpenCape Corp., a nonprofit.

The $40 million bond bill passed the House unanimously, and now moves to the Senate.

Most Cape and islands towns have two options to connect to broadband speeds: Comcast cable Internet service or Verizon DSL. However, parts of some Cape and islands towns do not get both those services, and DSL speed can vary widely, depending on location.

The bulk of the original $25 million would be devoted to western Massachusetts, which has large gaps in service. Cape lawmakers said that made it all the more important to add the extra $15 million.

"It is for underserved communities of the Commonwealth, so we definitely qualify," Patrick said. "The whole delegation supported it. We were extremely pleased to see it included without any opposition."

Perry said it was needed on the Cape for economic development.

"There are lots of reasons to do it, the consumer and the small business owner, and the person who works out of their home," Perry said. "Especially in this environment of rising gas prices, more people want to work from home, but you can't work from home unless you have the ability to be online."

The bonding committee set aside $5 million for the OpenCape Corp. project at Atsalis' urging earlier this year. But the House Ways and Means Committee stripped earmarks from the bill when it later passed through the House Ways and Means Committee.

Nevertheless, local legislators were optimistic that the Cape would qualify for the money as an underserved area. The Senate could also change the bill to more specifically funnel the money to the Cape and islands.

Ultimately, as in all bond bills, it would be up to the governor to decide what projects are funded and when.

"Our lobbying is not finished yet," Turner said. "We need to make sure the governor understands how important this is to the Cape."